A Memphis-grown provider of work clothing, Paramount Uniforms, was sold to Boston-based UniFirst Corp. effective Feb. 2.

The acquisition gives UniFirst a Memphis processing plant to boost its ability to compete against other national firms including Cintas and Aramark.

The purchase price wasn’t disclosed.

Publicly held UniFirst has been in the Memphis market since 2002, but previously processed Memphis work in Nashville.

Paramount was started in 1974 after the founders bought the old Paramount Cleaners at Chelsea and Watkins and recycled the name for a uniform service and dry-cleaning business.

Mickey Harlow, whose father was one of the founders, owned and ran the company at the time of sale.

“It’s always been a little sad for me to see long time Memphis family businesses sell out to the national brands, but it’s just the business world we live in these days,” Harlow said.

Paramount had about 60 employees and annual revenues of almost $10 million at the time of sale, Harlow said. He's scheduled to leave the company April 30.

UniFirst had grown familiar with Paramount as a competitor and appreciated the Memphis company's commitment to customers and employees and dedication to excellent service, spokesman Adam Soreff said.

"The Paramount acquisition provides UnFirst with a processing facility right in the heart of the Memphis market, allowing for greater market expansion and improved service to area business customers," Soreff said. "All of us at UniFirst are proud to have partnered with such an impressive operation and great people."

UniFirst will service Greater Memphis, Jonesboro, Jackson, Tennessee and surrounding areas from the facility at 5421 Crestview in an industrial area off Covington Pike.